The Learning Revolution

The Learning Revolutionaries Project is being run by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) throughout England. It is funded by the government’s Transformation Fund which seeks to support new ways of encouraging and enabling informal adult learning.

The project is based on the idea that there is enormous value in learning for its own sake; especially people learning from and teaching each other in their own way, informally; deciding on what interests them and getting groups of people together themselves at times and in places that suit them.

Neither ‘teachers’ nor learners are tied to targets or accreditation – although for some people it may open the door to moving on to something more formal later on.

The Learning Revolutionaries Project is initially aiming to train and support 450 volunteers to set up Learning Circles – small informal learning groups of around 6 to 10 people. Learning Circles are for anyone aged 19 years and over.

These new Learning Circles, and the wider movement to encourage informal learning, will only be successful if people can find suitable and FREE places to meet in. Part of the WEA project is therefore about finding people or organisations willing to offer some free space that Learning Circles can use. All the ‘revolutionaries’ are volunteers, giving their own time for free and no charge is made for anyone involved in learning.

The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) England, who work with anti-poverty groups across England, is a partner in the project and has the task of identifying any spaces – halls, big rooms, small rooms, outdoor areas, space in workshops or offices, rooms over a pub, or space in a bar or café – that could be made available, by arrangement with the owner, in which a small group of people could to get together, and enjoy learning together.

Lots of people were involved in a Learning Festival in October 2009 when free learning events attracted many who don’t usually connect to learning or face issues of social exclusion. There are currently lots of projects and activities helping to “grow” an informal learning movement.

What do organisations /businesses get out of offering space for free?

• More, and possibly new, people using their facility
• Positive publicity for their own organisation
• People who don’t normally get involved in community activities getting involved for the first time, expanding community engagement
• New or more positive energy, interest and contacts to what they’re doing
• Increased potential for growth and new or potential customers
• Ability to reach new people and engage with new initiatives

There will also be awards……most successful space, most helpful space, most unusual space, biggest space, smallest space…. and more!

Learning Revolutionaries Project Celebration event
On Wednesday, 24th March we are holding a free event in Nottingham to show what’s been happening on the project and celebrate the volunteers and new learning circles. Please come along and find out more.

For further information visit:
www.joinourrevolution.org.uk
http://www.dius.gov.uk/learningrevolution
www.wea.org.uk
www.eapnengland.org.uk

CONTACT: Clare Caves,  CEFET and EAPN England, 114 Mansfield Road Nottingham NG1 3HL, Tel: 0115 911 0455 , clare@cefet.org.uk

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